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Spanish DC Team: Nadal, Verdasco, Ferrer and Lopez

World No.1 Rafa Nadal, David Ferrer, Fernando Verdasco and Feliciano Lopez have been selected by their captain, Albert Costa, as the team that will represent Spain at the Davis Cup first-round tie against Belgium on the 4th of March at the Spiroudome de Charleroi.

Costa announced in front of the world media at ‘Club Atlético Montemar de Alicante’, the players he thought would be best prepared to take on their biggest challenge yet: Help Spain start the season well and hopefully win a fifth Davis Cup title.

The big question of course was whether or not Rafa was going to be selected to play after suffering a minor injury at the Australian Open that forced him out of the game for 10 days. But he feels fine and Albert supports his decision to play. He thinks Rafa brings a “winning spirit and stability” to the team. “Having the World No. 1 and best sportsman of 2010 brings stability,” continued Costa. “After the small injury he had in Australia he has done what he needed to do to be able to return to training. His training his progressing, and when he joins our training camp he'll be in perfect condition.”

The 24-year-old has a 14-1 record in Davis Cup singles play since making his debut in the 2004 first round against the Czech Republic. The Manacor native was part of the winning Spanish teams in the 2004 (d. United States) and 2009 finals, and had played in the quarter-finals and semi-finals before missing the 2008 final through injury (Spain defeated Argentina).